New Delhi:
At 1.30 this afternoon, US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle will board Air Force One at the Delhi airport, concluding their three-day visit to India. Before that, President Obama addressed a townhall at the capital's Siri Fort auditorium.
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In his address to about 2000 people, President Obama made strong comments promoting religious tolerance in a town hall-style meeting as he wrapped up a three-day visit to India.
Backstage, President Obama met Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi. The US President, who received the Nobel peace prize in 2009, had first met Mr Satyarthi on Sunday at a banquet hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Delhi had been advised to factor into its travel plans, the movement of the Beast, President Obama's car - first to south Delhi where the Siri Fort auditorium is and then to the airport.
The US president had planned to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra today, but had to cut short his visit to be able to stop over in Saudi Arabia, to meet its new king Salman. His uncle, King Abdullah died last week. The oil-rich Saudi Arabia is a key US ally.
Hours after the Obamas have left India, a joint radio address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Obama will be aired at 8 pm on Tuesday.
The two leaders recorded the joint radio address - Mann ki Baat - yesterday after the Republic Day parade where President Obama was chief guest. He was the first American president to chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations.
The personal chemistry between the US President and PM Modi on this trip has drawn global attention. The Prime Minister broke protocol to receive President Obama at the airport on Sunday and the two leaders have met at least six times over the last two days.
Their one-one-one discussion over tea at the Hyderabad House on Sunday reportedly scripted a breakthrough on the civil nuclear deal stalled for six years. India and the US also worked out a new framework for defence ties.
On Tuesday evening, President Obama and PM Modi met and addressed top CEOs of both countries. They highlighted the huge potential of bilateral business ties.
The US president noted that there were still "too many barriers" to conducting business in India, while Mr Modi promised a more liberal business regime and streamlined taxes.
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